Complaint Lodged Against TN-7 Congressional Candidate For Allegedly Violating Military Standards In Campaign Ads

Image Credit: Matt Van Epps for Congress / YouTube

The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –

A District 7 resident has filed a complaint with the Adjutant General for the Tennessee National Guard alleging Matt Van Epps has violated several directives of the Department of War (DoW) and the Department of the Army regarding appearances in military uniform in political campaign ads.

Dillon Scott, an Army veteran, argues a television ad by Van Epps, who currently serves as a Lieutenant Colonel in Tennessee’s National Guard, misleads voters about his military status and could improperly imply endorsement by the Army or Department of War as Van Epps appears in his uniform throughout the duration of the ad.

DoW Directive 1344.10 (Directive) governs political activities for armed forces members, including those in National Guard, and violations are punishable to varying degrees under Article 92 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Scott’s complaint claims Van Epps’ advertisement “seriously and blatantly violates the Directive in a number of ways”:

• Though Van Epps removed any identifying patches and insignia from his uniform, which he wore during the entire ad, Scott states this implies he was aware of the Directive. But he believes Van Epps’ action does not satisfy the Directive, which allows participation in certain political activities provided service members are not in uniform and do not imply sponsorship, approval, or endorsement. 

• The ad falsely implies Department endorsement as it uses other military imagery in a way that could be interpreted as support or approval, especially as the ad contains no “non-military biographical details” about Van Epps.

• Scott maintains that while the Directive allows service members to include their military titles or positions and use photographs in military uniform, it prohibits them from presenting themselves in uniform as the primary graphic representation in any campaign media, which Van Epps does.

• Van Epps fails to provide the required information about his current retired service status, which could improperly indicate he is an active-duty service member. Scott elaborates, “The general public, viewing Van Epps in uniform, in front of what he represents to be his military aircraft, while discussing his combat service, is unable to decipher his military status, an omission which clearly violates the requirements of the Directive.”

• Finally, Scott notes that the commercial’s disclaimer stating the use of rank or photographs is not an endorsement is in violation of the Directive’s provision that such disclaimers must be “prominent and clearly displayed.” Van Epps’ is only visible for two seconds during the 30-second ad, is in a small white font, and fails to disclose his status.

Scott contends the “incomplete” and difficult to read disclaimer further misleads viewers into believing he is still an active-duty service member and heightens his concern about viewers falsely thinking Van Epps is endorsed by the DoW or Army.

“At a minimum, it is in violation of ‘the spirit and intent of this Directive.’ That someone who serves as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Tennessee National Guard would have committed such a clearcut violation of a well-established policy lacks any reasonable explanation,” Scott concludes. 

“Frankly, this ad is very disturbing and not at all indicative of someone who should serve in public office. His flagrant flouting of Departmental directives honors neither the language of the Directive nor its spirit. The public deserves better than this type of dishonorable and dishonest conduct.”

Scott also states that Van Epps is displaying the same “lapse in judgement” throughout his campaign website as it fails to denote his current military status, “despite being filled with references to military duties, titles, position, and photographs in military uniform.” 

And he presents evidence that allies of Van Epps are engaging in similar behavior as the Directive forbids someone to use or allow use of photographs or similar media forms of themselves in uniform as the primary graphic representation in campaign media. 

He specifically cites an ad by Conservatives for American Excellence, Inc. which depicts Van Epps in military images for two thirds of the advertisement and contains another incomplete disclaimer.

“As such, Mr. Van Epps does not escape responsibility for this misleading content, since he has not objected or attempted to stop the improper content being aired by his allies,” Scott contends.

The complaint has been lodged with Major General Warner A. Ross II, who oversees Tennessee’s National Guard and reports to Chief of the National Guard Bureau Air Force General Steven Nordhaus, who is a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Also copied on the letter were DoW Acting Inspector General Steven Stebbins, the Department of the Army Inspector General, and Fort Campbell’s Office of the Judge Advocate. 

Scott’s proposed resolution is a “respectful request that you take immediate action to stop Van Epps’ obviously and flagrantly improper conduct” and “halt this improper politicization of the Departments of War and Defense.” 

Just days before the election, Van Epps secured the endorsement of Gov. Bill Lee who praised his military record and work in several state agencies, including as the Commissioner of the Department of General Services to which he was appointed by Lee in 2024.

Election Day for the TN-7 Special Congressional Primary is Tuesday, Oct. 7.

About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.